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Tornado Country Questions

Quote from: Kent Speers –
Underground shelters are absolutely necessary in an F4 or F5 Tornado to insure survival as you can see by the condition of the two concrete block elementary schools and the Moore Medical Center. Be Tornado vigilant and don't under estimate the power of Mother Nature.
    • What warning methods we should take advantage of?  We hardly ever use the TV (twice in 7 years).  I guess if things looked bad we could fire it up and try to find a local station.
    • In our motorhome travels, I have never been aware of the availability of shelters in RV Parks much less underground shelters.
    • Some of the news I've heard says that underground shelters are rare.  What can you do when the warnings on TV say that it's going to be real bad?  Can you really try to drive out of harms way. as one forecaster I heard on NPR had suggested, with even 10 minutes warning?
    • As a west coaster, what advice do you tornado alley folks have for those of us that pass through much of the middle part of the country each year? 
Thanks,
Harvey
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #1 –
Harvey:
My first post.
We are east coasters living in hurricane country but have spent 4 nights in Tornado "shelters" (restroom shower stalls)  in RV parks over the past ten years or so. Great place to meet fine folks. Once each in Melbourne, FL, Memphis, TN in 2011, Longview, TX in 2012 as tornadoes hit the Dallas area and a couple of weeks ago in Fredricksburg, TX.

We just missed the serious 1999 Oklahoma city and 2012 Dallas area tornadoes  because:
1. We check regional weather via TV and internet during storm seasons which vary across the country.
2. We watch local TV stations if bad weather is headed to our temporary home 'trailer park' which as we all know are bad storm magnets.
3. We carry a NOAA weather radio and have NOAA on the CB radio.
4. We have a new Red Cross tornado warning app on our cell phone which knows where we are at all times. It alerted us in Fredricksburg 15 minutes before we needed to take cover in a shower stall with a very nice couple from Florida. At least we would have been clean if we'd awakened in Kansas.

We had the CB radio turned on the day of the Dallas tornadoes and truckers told us about the bad storms ahead. We were headed west on I 20. We exited I 20, turned on the TV, watched the weather then stopped up the road at an RV park. After checking in I asked where the storm shelter was located. They pointed to a building attached to the office. I asked where whey were going to ride out the storm. They said they were going home but we couldn't come.
Well. We're still here. We do our best to stay ahead of trouble. But if it's time to go it's time to go.

Doug Self
Savannah, GA
Doug, Mary & Abby the Terrier, boss of us.
2012 Nimbus 40',  #6557
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Salem, SC

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #2 –
Get your self a SAME technology NOAA weather radio.  I have a weather radio R-1650 , Reecom Electronics, Inc. and am very happy with it.  But it is a desk top model that we use both at home and in the Foretravel.  It doesn't help you if you are out and about. 

There are also apps for smart phones you can use for weather service, and there are portable SAME technology NOAA weather radios available but the range of the portables is not very good.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #4 –
We have a weather radio that will scan to see if the place we are in can receive one of the seven NOAA weather stations.

After we park in a campsite, whether we have shore power or not, I go over and push the weather radio scan button. Many times the radio cannot find a strong enough signal, so we won't have NOAA protection at that site.

Radio is always on, but silent most of the time. NOAA alerts will turn audio on. Our weather radio can be instructed to only alarm for the local county we are in, but we never use that feature.
NOAA Weather Radio

We always wonder what to do when radio goes off. Our current Montgomery Alabama campground has a tornado shelter. Some campgrounds give us instructions on where their tornado shelters are. We have been told to go to court house buildings or other strong structures if needed.

We have made a few quick trips with laptops and personal records to a shelter and on one occasion had strong winds and blowing rain, but have never suffered damage. We do stow our open roof-top satellite antenna if high winds are expected.

Staying out of Tornado Alley helps.

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #5 –
@Berry Unfortunately Tornado Alley seem to be getting bigger and bigger! Stay safe. Oh and thanks for the NOAA Weather Radio link!

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #6 –
I have pulled out a my overnight spot at 3 am and ran ahead of a storm that looked to be ugly and yes it did drop a tornado in the area and huge hail too.  I have also run in front of a snow front too.  It is being aware and figuring out what you will do ahead of time.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Harvey Nelson –
    • What warning methods we should take advantage of?  We hardly ever use the TV (twice in 7 years).  I guess if things looked bad we could fire it up and try to find a local station.
    • In our motorhome travels, I have never been aware of the availability of shelters in RV Parks much less underground shelters.
    • Some of the news I've heard says that underground shelters are rare.  What can you do when the warnings on TV say that it's going to be real bad?  Can you really try to drive out of harms way. as one forecaster I heard on NPR had suggested, with even 10 minutes warning?
    • As a west coaster, what advice do you tornado alley folks have for those of us that pass through much of the middle part of the country each year? 
Thanks,
Harvey

It used to be that you could avoid thinking of Tornadoes in many parts of the country and most of the year. Right now there is a tornado warning in Connecticut. There may still be places in the US that are immune to tornadoes but if you travel much, you need to be aware of the danger if it occurs. They are occurring more often in different parts of the country and they are getting larger and more dangerous.

Warning Methods

We always carry a programmable weather radio with the S.A.M.E. warning system. We suggest getting one that allows you to select specific warnings such as Tornado Warning or even Tornado Watch. We use the Midland WR 300. This keeps the radio alarm from sounding every time the National Weather Service issues a warning like Flash Flood or just a Thunderstorm so we do keep it on since it is not an annoyance.

We also make sure we can get a local TV station either over the air or via our Dish Satellite Local Station Program. They always give you the most specific information and yes you can get out of a tornadoes way if you know where it is. Usually 10 miles is all that is required unless there are multiple cells, then you need to get our of the region plenty ahead of time.

Many RV Parks in Tornado Alley will have a tornado shelter but most shelters are not below ground so if there is a F4 or F5 you may still be in trouble. These Super Storms usually are on the ground for some time and would give you an opportunity to move the motorhome out of harms way IF you are paying attention.

Most municipalities in tornado alley also have siren alarms. The problem with a siren is that you would not typically have time to move your motorhome once the siren sounds. We were very surprised to find out that many towns here in N. Florida do not have tornado sirens even though they do have tornadoes here. We have been in a tornado warning more times this spring here in Florida than we had been in Oklahoma over the last three years and without the weather radio, we would not have known they were even in the area. The up side is that most tornadoes here in N. Florida are an F0 or at worst an F1. That is until there is a big one here. I'm guessing that many part of the US outside of Tornado Alley don't have storm sirens.

If there is no Storm Shelter, I believe that our Foretravels can withstand an F1 or even an F2 with little fear of serious harm to us. The heavy fiberglass walls will prevent much of the flying debris from penetrating and the weight of our rigs should keep us grounded if the coach is not moving. Always get in the bathroom away from the windows. However, if in a F3 and above being underground is best, reinforced concrete walls are next and a concrete block building I would think is marginally better than our Foretravels. The very best is to get out of the way but F3's and larger don't happen very often. I have spent 43 years in Tornado Alley and I have only been around an F3 or larger five times. 

If you see a tornado, go perpendicular to its path. Tornadoes can make turns but usually don't go too far off their path. Usually getting a few miles away is enough to avoid the worst damage. The 1999, F5 that hit Moore, OK passed within 3 miles of our house and we had no damage. Get away if you can.

The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #8 –
Kent, that's our plan. Right now I can go out, fire up the Detroit, pull and stow the electrical cord while Jo Ann is gathering up herself and the cat. By the time we're seated in the coach the air is up and we can head out.

Last year we headed down to our pastor's house in Buffalo when a tornado was headed toward us because he has a house with a basement. As it turned out, we made the middle of the night trip for nothing, but we had a nice midnight visit. He and his family spent a week with us when an ice storm took out all of their electricity and water, so we didn't think we were imposing too much.

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #9 –
Best bet is to get out! I would not stay in bathhouse, restroom, house or rv. You can easily out run a tornado...they usually move at a speed slower thatn 30MPH and you can go 70MPH in the opposite direction. Don't worry about your RV....it's insured. Take care of yourself first.......everything else is just "stuff" that can be easily replaced. You may have a mess to come back to but at least you will come back.
Steve Mudd
Commander, The Crystal Ship
CEO, Retirement Clearinghouse International
1993 Grand Villa U300 40', Detroit 6V92 Turbo
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport
2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic
2000 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
swmudd@aol.com

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #10 –
We also carry a Midland weather radio. RV parks are not well-equipped for tornado shelters, etc. but most have a sturdy building which is the designated shelter. We have spent time in those (mostly bathrooms) and a Dollar General store. On the way across Nebraska, just settled in at Walmart for the night with martini in-hand and the weather radio and local siren went off simultaneously. Got our dog on his leash and headed for the closest building - spent 30 minutes at Dollar General waiting for the all clear. I would stay in the coach only as a last resort.
Jeff & Patricia
Rescue dog Molly
Previous Foretravel owner

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #11 –
At Council Road RV Park on the west side of Oklahoma City, part of the orientation at check-in is notification of the location of the storm shelter, sometimes known in Oklahoma as the 'fraid hole. I expect many campgrounds in tornado alley will have some kind of plan for stormy weather.

Tornadoes usually travel from southwest toward northeast, more or less. If you see a tornado that appears to be growing, but not moving, then it is coming straight at you. Get underground, get inside the sturdiest structure you can find, or haul body fast in a direction perpendicular to the path. In case of a tornado warning, I would seek shelter somewhere other than in a motorhome.

My home town is Bethany, OK, about 20 miles northwest of Moore, OK. Marilyn's home town is Purcell, OK, about 20 miles south of Moore. We were under the bed or to the 'fraid hole several times in our youth.

Most suggestions presented in the thread seem good to me. As with all hazards, remain vigilant and seek expert help when appropriate.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #12 –
One more time......get out! EVACUATE!  If you have ample warning, leave all possessions behind and leave the area. It does not take long to escape. The only other "good" option is  to get to an underground shelter, and even those shelter exits get blocked by all the debris that settles on top of the exit door.  Just take a look at a above ground building that gets a direct hit. RV's get thrown around also......a good side wind will blow a moving 18 wheeler over!

The ONLY time to consider going to an above ground shelter (bathroom, shower stall, etc) in my opinion is if you DO NOT have AMPLE TIME to EVACUATE. Roofs, glass, doors and HCB construction comes apart with a good hit from a sledge hammer, much less from a tornado! Its not only the wind but also the negative pressure of the tornadic forces that explodes sturctures.
Steve Mudd
Commander, The Crystal Ship
CEO, Retirement Clearinghouse International
1993 Grand Villa U300 40', Detroit 6V92 Turbo
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport
2008 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic
2000 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
swmudd@aol.com

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #13 –
Wow!!!  Thanks for all the great advice.  I'll print this out and put it in my ready reference notebook.

Also I just ordered from Amazon the Midland 300 Weather Station and the Midland HH50 pocket radio.

Thanks a bunch
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #14 –
I remember going East on I80 when I was driving big rigs and my CB which had weather alerts stated squawking. Weather alert said a tornado was moving north an would cross I 80, and they named the area where it would cross. I pulled over to the shoulder checked my Atlas and saw the thing was about ten miles ahead. Waited there until NORAD indicated it had crossed I 80 then I continued on my merry way. That is as close as this Northeast Yankee wants to get to a tornado.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #15 –
The thing to remember is the vast majority of tornadoes have a damage path measured in feet rather than miles so they can easily be avoided. However, if you are going to flee, be knowledgeable about where the tornado is and where you need to go to get out of the way. DON'T RUN INTO THE TORNADO while fleeing. The two F5's that hit Moore, OK are extremely rare. I heard this morning that the odds of a second F5 hitting the same town is 170 billion to one but it still happened so always respect and be cautious of a tornado but don't avoid going into areas where there might be one because of unreasonable fear.

We have driven across Kansas in our coach at 65 mph with a cross wind gusting up to 60 mph with no problems. The majority of the tornadoes, 76% - The Fujita Scale, are F0 or F1 with wind speeds of less than 112 mph. If a coach is not in motion it should easily stay grounded if you are setting still. Let's hear from folks in hurricane zones about how much wind it would take to turn over a Foretravel.


I'm not saying to be casual about tornadoes but don't be unreasonably fearful either. To me the most dangerous natural disaster is an earthquake. Where do you go in an earthquake. With tornadoes be vigilant and get out of the way if possible but don't run or move if you don't know where the tornado is or where you are going because chances are it will miss you. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
To me the most dangerous natural disaster is an earthquake. Where do you go in an earthquake.
I was in Alaska in 64 when the earth shook, NEVER want to feel that helpless again.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers
 

Re: Tornado Country Questions

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
I'm not saying to be casual about tornadoes but don't be unreasonably fearful either. To me the most dangerous natural disaster is an earthquake. Where do you go in an earthquake. With tornadoes be vigilant and get out of the way if possible but don't run or move if you don't know where the tornado is or where you are going because chances are it will miss you. 
Thanks Kent, and everyone else, good advice.

Re earthquakes.  They don't make us nervous unless we would be in a high rise which is extremely rare for us.  In general, in this country, people don't get killed by an earthquake.  Now if we lived in a big city, like San Francisco on the San Andreas fault, it might be of more concern. 
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org